Find Lasting Relief from Neck Pain
Neck pain can make it difficult to work, sleep, drive, or enjoy your favorite activities. Whether your discomfort is caused by poor posture, an injury, arthritis, or hours spent looking at a computer or smartphone, the spine specialists at Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics are here to help.
Our multidisciplinary Spine Team works together to identify the source of your neck pain and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve discomfort, restore mobility, and help you get back to living without limitations. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, your care is coordinated across multiple specialties—including fellowship-trained spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, advanced practice providers, and spine-focused physical therapists—to ensure you receive the right treatment at the right time.
Why Does My Neck Hurt?
Neck pain can develop for many reasons. Some cases result from a sudden injury, while others develop gradually because of age-related changes or repetitive strain.
Common causes of neck pain include:
- Muscle strain
- Poor posture
- Tech neck
- Arthritis
- Herniated Disks
- Pinched nerves
- Degenerative disc disease
- Whiplash and other injuries
Determining the underlying cause of your pain is the first step toward finding lasting relief.
What Is Tech Neck?
“Tech neck” is a term used to describe neck pain caused by repeatedly looking down at smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices.
As your head tilts forward, the amount of stress placed on your neck increases significantly. Over time, this extra strain can fatigue muscles, place added pressure on the cervical spine, and contribute to stiffness, headaches, and chronic neck pain.
Fortunately, many cases of tech neck improve with posture correction, strengthening exercises, activity modifications, and early treatment.
Can Neck Pain Cause Headaches?
Yes.
The muscles, joints, and nerves in your neck all work together to support your head. When these structures become irritated or inflamed, pain can travel upward into the base of the skull and across the head.
Common signs that your headache may be related to your neck include:
- Pain that begins at the base of the skull
- Headaches after long periods at a computer
- Neck stiffness
- Pain that worsens with certain head movements
- Tenderness in the neck or shoulders
Treating the underlying cause of your neck pain often helps reduce or eliminate these headaches.
Do I Need to See a Spine Specialist?
Not every sore neck requires medical treatment. However, persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a spine specialist.
You should schedule an appointment if you experience:
- Neck pain lasting longer than several weeks
- Pain that radiates into your shoulder or arm
- Numbness or tingling in your arm or hand
- Muscle weakness
- Frequent headaches associated with neck pain
- Difficulty turning your head
- Pain following a fall, sports injury, or motor vehicle accident
Early evaluation can often prevent symptoms from becoming more severe and help you return to your normal activities sooner.
How Does Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics Treat Neck Pain?
At Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, your care is coordinated through our comprehensive Spine Team, bringing together specialists across multiple disciplines to provide personalized care from diagnosis through recovery.
Depending on the cause of your neck pain, treatment may include:
- Evaluation by one of our experienced Spine Specialists to identify the source of your symptoms.
- Spine-focused physical therapy to improve posture, strengthen supporting muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce pain.
- Interventional pain management to reduce inflammation and relieve nerve irritation through image-guided spinal injections.
- Advanced diagnostic imaging to better understand your condition and guide treatment decisions.
- Medication recommendations to help manage pain and inflammation.
- Consultation with one of our spine surgeons if conservative treatment does not provide lasting relief.
Our goal is always to begin with the least invasive treatment possible while helping you restore movement, reduce pain, and return to the activities you enjoy.
Can I Avoid Surgery for Neck Pain?
Most patients with neck pain do not require surgery.
Many people experience significant improvement with a combination of physical therapy, posture correction, medications, activity modification, and interventional pain management.
If surgery becomes necessary because of persistent pain, progressive weakness, or significant nerve compression, our spine surgeons will discuss all available treatment options and recommend the approach that’s best for your condition.
Depending on your diagnosis, you may be a candidate for motion preservation spine surgery, which is designed to relieve pressure on spinal nerves while preserving as much natural movement as possible.
For certain cervical spine conditions, cervical disc replacement may also be an option. This innovative procedure relieves pressure on spinal nerves while preserving motion in the neck, allowing many patients to maintain greater flexibility than traditional spinal fusion.
What Is Recovery Like After Neck Pain Treatment?
Recovery depends on the cause of your neck pain and the treatment you receive.
Most patients improve with nonsurgical care over several weeks. Physical therapy, posture improvements, ergonomic changes, and home exercises often play an important role in long-term recovery.
If surgery is recommended, your Spine Team will provide a personalized recovery plan that may include rehabilitation, activity modifications, and follow-up care to help you safely return to work, recreation, and everyday life.
Throughout your recovery, our specialists work together to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as your needs change.
When Should You See a Spine Specialist?
Schedule an evaluation if you experience:
- Neck pain that lasts longer than several weeks
- Pain that radiates into your shoulder or arm
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Frequent headaches associated with neck pain
- Difficulty turning your head
- Symptoms that interfere with work, driving, sleep, or daily activities
The sooner the source of your symptoms is identified, the sooner your Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics Spine Team can begin a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you get back to living without limitations.